Panels with a connecting device

ABSTRACT

A connecting device is provided to connect panels and comprising at least one loop formed on a first panel, at least one through hole defined in a second panel for receiving the at least one loop and at least one snapper inserted into the at least loop after the loop received in the at least one through hole for connecting the panels. The snapper is divided into a handle portion and an inserting portion. A through hole is defined in the inserting portion and a leaf spring outwardly extends from a bottom of the through hole opposite to an inserting direction of the inserting portion. The leaf spring is engaged to an upper edge of the through hole in the second panel to position two adjacent panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to panels, and more particularly to panels with a connecting device for a rapid connection.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional ways for connecting panels usually uses welding or multiple bolts and nut. It will take a lot of time for connecting the panels whatever welding or screwing bolts and nuts. In addition, the welding way can provide a good connection between the welded panels. However, the welded panels are hard to be separated. Consequently, the panels can not be easily detached from one another for saving store space. Screwing bolts and nuts, the user can conveniently separate the panels from one another. However, it will take a lot of time to screw one after one. In addition, the separated panels can not be connected again when the bolts or the nuts are lost.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional ways for connecting panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved connecting device for rapid connecting two adjacent panels.

To achieve the objective, the connecting device in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one loop formed on a first panel, at least one through hole defined in a second panel for receiving the at least one loop and at least one snapper inserted into the at least loop after the loop received in the at least one through hole for connecting the panels. The snapper is divided into a handle portion and an inserting portion. A through hole is defined in the inserting portion and a leaf spring outwardly extends from a bottom of the through hole opposite to an inserting direction of the inserting portion. The leaf spring is engaged to an upper edge of the through hole in the second panel to position two adjacent panels.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of the panels with a connecting device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of panels with a connecting device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the panels with a connecting device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a snapper of the connecting device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the snapper in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the panels of the present invention along line 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the panels of the present invention along line 7-7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the panels with a connecting device in accordance with present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-5, panels with a connecting device in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one loop (11) formed on a first panel (10) such that a gap (12) is defined within the at least one loop (11), at least one through hole (21) defined in a second panel (20) for receiving the at least one loop (11) and at least one snapper (30) inserted into the gap (12) within the at least loop (11) after the loop (11) received in the at least one through hole (21) for connecting the panels. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loops (10) are integrally formed with the first panel (10). The quantities of the loop (11), the through hole (21) and the snapper (30) correspond to one another. As shown in FIG. 1, the panels in accordance with the present invention can be assembled to a tool chest for ordering various tools.

The snapper (30) is L-shaped and divided into a handle portion (31) and an inserting portion (32). The snapper (30) includes multiple ribs (33) formed thereon for connecting the handle portion (31) and the inserting portion (32), and strengthening the structure of the snapper (30). A leaf spring (34) outwardly extends from the inserting portion (32) opposite to an inserting direction of the inserting portion (32). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first panel (10) includes three loops (11) vertically correspond to one another to limit the connected panels in two directions.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when connecting two panels, for example, the loops (11) of the first panel (10) respectively extend through a corresponding one of the through holes (21) of the second panel (20). The inserting portion (32) of each of the snappers (30) is inserted into a corresponding one of the loops (11) that extends through the corresponding through hole (21). The second panel (20) inward pushes the leaf spring (34) when the top of the inserting portion (32) passing the gap (12) within the loop (11). The free end of the leaf spring (34) is engaged to an upper edge of the through hole (21) in the second panel (20) due to the restitution force thereof after passing the loop (11) to connect the two panels (10, 20). When detaching the two connected panels (10, 20), the user only needs to inward press the leaf spring (34) to make the free end of the leaf spring (34) disengaged from the through hole (21) in the second panel (20) and pull out the snapper (30) from the loop (11). Then, the two connected panels (10, 20) can be easily separated from each other for stored or next operation.

With reference to FIG. 8 that shows a second embodiment of the panels with a connecting device in accordance with the present invention, an L-shaped connecting panel (40) is provided to form the loops (41) on two opposite sides thereof and a gap (42) is defined within each of the loops (41). The connecting panel (40) is used as the first panel (10) to connect two second panel (20). Consequently, the through holes (21) are respectively defined in the two adjacent sides of the two second panel (20) for receiving the loops (41) on the connecting panel (40) for each snapper (30) being inserted into the gap (42) of a corresponding one of the loops (41) and providing a strengthened connection between the connecting panel (40) and the two second panel (20).

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. Panels with a connecting device, wherein the connecting device is provided to connect the panels and comprising: at least one loop integrally formed on a first panel such that at least one gap is defined within the at least one loop, at least one through hole defined in a second panel for receiving the at least one loop and at least one snapper inserted into the at least one loop after the at least one loop received in the at least one through hole for connecting the first panel and the second panel, the at least one snapper being L-shaped and divided into a handle portion and an inserting portion, a leaf spring outwardly extending from the at least one snapper opposite to an inserting direction of the inserting portion, the leaf spring inward pushed by the second panel when the top of the inserting portion passing the at least one loop and a free end of the leaf spring engaged to an upper edge of the at least one through hole in the second panel due to a restitution force of the leaf spring after passing the at least one loop to connect the first panel and the second panel.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The panels as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple loops are respectively formed on two opposite sides of the first panel.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The panels as claimed in claim 3, wherein the multiple loops on each sides of the first panel vertically correspond to one another for limiting the connected panels in two directions.
 6. (canceled) 